TomTom GO 730
Manufacturer: TomTom Part number: TOMTOMGO730
- CNET Editor rating: Not yet rated
- Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews
- More product information:
- Editors' blog post
- User reviews
- Manufacturer info
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CNET editors' blog post
By Bonnie Cha, 03/03/08
(Credit:
TomTom)
Today, TomTom added two new models to its GO series of portable navigation systems: the TomTom GO 930 and the TomTom GO 730. Both GPS devices feature enhanced user interfaces with new icons and a technology called Alfa Blending that claims to deliver smoother graphics. Beyond the aesthetics, the GO 930 and 730 offer more navigation functions to help drivers get to their destination faster and safely.
First, there's TomTom IQ Routes, which provides more "intelligent" routing based on the historical average speeds of a road during the weekday and weekends. In other words, it gives you a more accurate idea of driving and arrival time, and it also gives you the opportunity to find an alternate route--perhaps a little rush hour relief? Both GPS devices also have advanced lane guidance functions, more specifically lane separation and 3D renderings of complex junctions. Lane separation displays onscreen the number of lanes and which lane you should be in for your upcoming turn, among other things. And for particularly complicated intersections, you'll get a 3D image of what the area looks like as well as sign post information to give you a better idea of what's ahead. Having tested some portable navigation systems that just tell you to "Take the next exit" on a multiexit highway, this is a welcome and useful addition (though not new, see Navigon 7100 review) in my opinion.
Other highlights of the TomTom GO 930 and 730 are voice command functionality, including address entry, text-to-speech directions, integrated Bluetooth, and TomTom Map Share. The difference between the two models is the GO 930 comes preloaded with maps of North America and Europe, while the GO 730 is North America only. The expected ship date of the devices is April 29, but pricing was not available at press time.
User reviews
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Flawed product
by jcthom2 on October 2, 2008
Pros: Ability to reroute around a single/multiple roads while keeping route intact
Bluetooth
Loud speaker
Nice screen when you can see it
Not as cartoonish as other brands
Can update map corrections from other users
Can plan multiple routesCons: Screen fully washes out in the southwest sun.
Tomtom software can be confusing
Battery life when powered off is only 4 days
Missing most necessary accessories (usable mounts, sunshade)
POI database not very robustSummary: I researched this unit for weeks before deciding to take the plunge. I have owned this product for 5 months and this is a good unit, don't get me ...
Summary: I researched this unit for weeks before deciding to take the plunge. I have owned this product for 5 months and this is a good unit, don't get me wrong. It is top of the line and blows away the cheap GPS units.
Here are my thoughts
The original windshield mount is horrible. The mount doesn't lock into unit and is very short. I knocked the gps unit off the mount several times just trying to reposition it. Tomtom should have provided a carrying case as well. The unit doesn't handle areas of bright sun, such as the southwest. If you live in a state that has clouds, then you shouldn't have any issues, otherwise, you will need to purchase a sunshade to use the unit. I am not sure if the IQ routing works since it always tried to send me down the middle of very congested roads.
The voices are cool but only certain computer voices will say the street name, the others will say left turn, right turn, etc.
The battery life is awful. I called support multple times because the unit, when powered off, would only keep a charge for 4 days. When powered back on, it would say low battery and then turn off. Support said it was "normal".
I purchased the traffic receiver for this unit and enjoyed it. I don't have any complaints except where the antenna is connected. It is right next to the reset button so don't even try connecting it while driving. You will hit the reset button and have to wait for the unit to reset.
It has some fun features such as alerting you when speeding and if connected via the usb cable, will update the speed limit changes on the roads. It also recalculates routes very quickly. GPS devices are great to have but they seem to be overpriced with map purchases every year and a monthly subscription for traffic updates.
I believe the unit looks very nice and is well constructed. This is a nice unit, but just not for me. After owning the Tomtom 730 five months, I have decided I just like Garmin units better.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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love it so far, great gps
by mike2727 on August 14, 2008
Pros: clear calling, excellent interface
Cons: voice commands a little weak
Summary: This is my first GPS, I just purchased it today and love it so far, One Problem I Purchased it at Circuit City and when I was testing it out ...
Summary: This is my first GPS, I just purchased it today and love it so far, One Problem I Purchased it at Circuit City and when I was testing it out in town it would not find some POI's, I went back to the store and asked the salesman and he tested the floor model and the POI's showed up, He opened a new one out of the box and tested it, it too did not find these POI's. He opened a second one and it found the POI's, So he took the one I just bought back and gave me the one that worked, he pulled the other one off the shelf also. Obviously these had a software problem or firmware problam. Since i got the one that worked I have not had a problem, Check this right after you buy it to make sure you have one that works.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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MIght not be worth the upgrade.
by alan32433 on June 29, 2008
Pros: Excellent routing, IQ feature works great
Cons: Spoken road names marginal, Lane Change very limited use, not bright enough.
Summary: Good GPS, but if you are looking to upgrade your GPS to get some of the new TomTom 730 features it may not be worth it. The computer generated spoken ...
Summary: Good GPS, but if you are looking to upgrade your GPS to get some of the new TomTom 730 features it may not be worth it. The computer generated spoken road names is marginal and is many times garbled and not understandable. Simple names and highway numbers are prounounced OK, but beyond that you will be wondering what the heck the GPS is saying. This is a software algorithm so perhaps TomTom will improve this with new operating system updates. One big disappointment was the lane change feature. I recently traveled from NW Florida to Oklahoma City and back, with many detours along the way. Few Interstate intersections incorporate the lane change feature, even in some of the larger cities. Bottom line, when you approach any given intersection, you can't depend on the lane change function being there. When it is displayed, it's a really nice feature. Unfortunately, lane change is a map function and as they add capability, it will cost money to update your maps. Maybe thats a little extra TomTom incentive to make sure you spend the money on new maps? For the good side, the 730 is fast to lock satellites, relatively easy to use, and has an amazing IQ feature. I liked the routes it planned and it always seemed to route me around known traffic problem areas. With IQ, the estimated arrival times were astonishingly accurate. I upgraded to the 730 from a bulky Lowrance 500C which also had an overheating problem, so the 730 was a good move for me. If you have a GPS that is adequate but want to upgrade to get the new features the 730 offers, you may want to think twice or maybe even wait till TomTom improves lane change and spoken road names. Overall, the 730 is a really good GPS and I am pleased with it.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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great size and easy to understand and use.
by lathran on November 29, 2008
Pros: Maps are informative and easy to understand
Cons: Tomtom's can not be updated on a Linux Box even though that is the software running the device
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Good travel helper asfor me
by AK0 on October 2, 2008
Pros: Good travel helper asfor me
Cons: Good travel helper asfor me
Summary: i am sure TOmTom will upgrade its website to have us all the updated maps as early as 2008..well it doesnt have the MP3 play back option in the ...
Summary: i am sure TOmTom will upgrade its website to have us all the updated maps as early as 2008..well it doesnt have the MP3 play back option in the unit .. i find many pros while 2 cons.. it doesnt support a SD card slot and its mem is 1gb..however it should have street spelling option instead of calling the turns..well its the price that makes it worth..
Manufacturer info
- TomTom
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse TomTom products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://www.tomtom.com/
- Address:
150 Baker Ave. Ext., Concord, CA 01742 - Phone: 978.287.9555
- Email: usainfo@tomtom.com
- Fax: 978.287.9522
